Electrolytic cell.



C. P. TOWNSEND & E. A. SPBRRY.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.5,1903.

1,097,826, I Patented May 26, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

G. P. TOWNSEND & E. A. SPERRY.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 5, 1903.

1,097,826, Patented May 26, 1914.

5 $HEETS-SHEET 2.

G. P. TOWNSEND & E. A. SPERRY.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 5, 1903.

1,097,826, Patented May 26,1914. F 4 I 5 SHEETSSHEET 3.

Wwzessesf W 1710125: Wal da/ ut/M4 G. P. TOWNSEND & E. A. SPERRY.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 5, 1903.

1,097,826. Patented May 26, 1914.

5 sums-$115M 4. F .5.

Witnesses.- v I liven/0725: -Wfl $2; /Zzmm 5M4 X M r 0. P. TOWNSEND & E. A.-SPERRY.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

APPLICATION FILED D30; 5, 1903.

1 097 826 Patented May 26, 1914. 8 5 SHEETS-SEEM. 5.

. memes.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLINTON I AUL TOWNSEND, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND ELMER A.

SPERRY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR-S. BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 HOOKER ELECTROCHEMICAL COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

ELECTROLYTIC CELL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 5, 1303. Serial No. 183,967.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that we, CLINTON PAUL T OWNSEND and ELMER A. SPERRY, citizens of the United States, residing at VVashington, District of Columbia, and Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, respectively, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrolytic Cells, of which the following is a specification.

This cell is intended for the electrolysis of solutions, and will be described in connection with the production of caustic soda by the electrolysis of an aqueous sodium chlorid solution.

Referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the cell; Fig. 2 is a face view with the side plate and cathode chamber removed, parts being broken away; Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line III-III of 'Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a vertical, transverse section of the lower part of the cell, taken on the line IVIV of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a vertical, central, longitudinal section through one of the lower corners of the cell, on the line VV of Fig. 3, but On a larger scale; Fig. 6, is an enlarged vertical, transverse section through the upper part of one cathode and anode chamber; and Figs. 7 and 8 are detail views of wedge devices for holding the cathode in position.

The cell comprises a body portion 1 of impervious, non-conducting material, such as artificial stone, which constitutes the ends and bottom. Cathode chambers 2, which are preferably of an electrically-conductive material such as cast iron, close the lower part of the cell, being forced against the faces of the body by clamps 3. Each cathode chamber has at its ends upwardly and outwardly extending, apertured arms 4,permitting it to be readily removed and replaced by the use of a traveling crane. The I cathode connection is shown as a. bar of copper 5 which is bent upwardly at its end and is clamped between a boss 6 cast on the cathode chamber and a bar 7 which is bolt ed thereto.- The sides of the cell above the cathode chambers arse closed by impervious, non-conducting plates 8, preferably of slate, which are pressed against the body by clamps 3. Diaphragms 9 are clamped between each cathode chamber and the sides of the body. These diaphragms preferably per part of the diaphragm on the cathodeside, being opposed to the imperforate por- Patented Ma 26, 1914. 1

tion of the sheet 10. The rubber sheets 10,

11 may have heavy, outwardly extending flanges 10, 11 at their upper ends. The upper end of the diaphragm extends between these flanges and the flanges are clamped to the lower ends of the slatercover-plate 8 by screws 12 which pass through the flanges and diaphragm and are threaded into the plate 8 or into nuts 13 seated inthe slate. Each nut 13 preferably consists of a circular plug having a threaded, transverse aperture. The plug is inserted in a recess bored in the slate and is then adjusted to the proper position by a screw-driver inserted in a notch in the outer end of the lug.

The cathode consists of a'sheet 14 of iron or copper wire-gauze, or equivalent perforate structure which overlies and supports the cathode side of the diaphragm and is preferably somewhat flexible. The upper edge of the cathode is bent outwardly and 1s clamped against the upper edge of the cathode chamber, at its inner side, by a bar 15 and bolts 16. The lower margin of the cathode extends downwardly some distance over the body 1 and is clamped in a horizontal groove 17 in the iron cathode chamber by a semicircular bar 18 and screws 19. The

eatliode is thus put in electrical connection i with the cathode chamber and thereby with the negative terminal 5 of the source of electric current, at both its upper and its lower margins, avoid ng undue fall of potential through itsuch as occurs when connection is made to one margin only and the wire of the gauze is of small diameter. The cathode is in turn supported by a horizontal series of vertical, tubularsprings 20, serving to hold against the wire-cloth 21, riveted to a vertical sheet-iron plate or dam 23. This dam is arranged in the cathode chamber about mid- Qway between the cathode and the outer Wall tending from the inner face of the cathode of the chamber, preferably with its lower edge above the bot-tom and its upper edge considerably below the surface of the cathode liquid. The plate 23 rests on brackets 24 exchamber. Behind the plate 23 is a series of vertical wedge-bars 25, shown as rightangular pieces of heavy sheet-iron. Referrln to Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the inwardly-exten ing flange 25 of each of these bars has beveled portions 26 which engage beveled seats 27 riveted to the outer face of the .plate 23. Each piece 27 is preferably a right-angular piece of heavy sheet-iron with an intermediate tongue 27 stamped out to give a beveled bearing surface for the beveled edge 26 of the wedge-bar. Stops 26', 26 at the upper and lower end of'the beveled portion 26 .limit thc-reciprocation of the wedge-bar. Set screws 28 having check-nuts 29 and packing 29 are threaded through the outer wall of the cathode chamber and bear against the wedge-bar. These set screws'are adjusted to give the proper pressure to the springs 20 which support theeathode. They also serve as means for carrying a considerable amount of current from the cathode through the springs, wire-cloth, U-strips and wedge-members to the iron .wall of the cathode chamber. The wedge-bars are manipulated by a hook inserted in an opening 30 in their upper ends and are drawn upward to release the pressure of the springs 20 on the cathode when the cathode chamber is to be removed from the cell. In reassembling the cell, the cathode chamber is first secured in place and the wedge-bars are then depressed to force the springs against the cathode.

The lower end of the cathode chamber is preferably slightly inclined from each side to the middle and a trap 31 for removing the caustic may extend through the bottom of the cathode chamber at this point. The caustic is delivered from each trap through a pipe 32 into a receiving cup 33, the several cups leading into a common delivery pipe 34. The rate of outflow of the caustic is controlled by a valve consisting of a tube 35 the lower end of which has a notch 36 and screws into the upper end of the trap 31.

The tube 35 may be rotated by a hand-wheel 37 at its upper end and the discharge area of the outlet-opening may thus be adjusted. In operating the cell to carry out the process claimed in U. S. Patent No. 972,947, patented October 18, 1910, to O. P. Townsend, the cathode compartment is usually filled with a nonconducting, nonsaponifiable liquid which is immiscible with water and inert toward caustic soda, such as petroleum or kerosene oil.. The height of this body of oil may be controlled by an overflow slot as in the upper end of the tube 35. The hydrogen set free by the oxidation. of the sodium electrodeposited on the cathode causes a vigorous circulation of the contents of the cathode chamber, causing the oil to rise along the cathode to the upper end of the chamber where the hydrogen escapes, the oil then descending behind the plate 23 and returning beneath its lower edge to the cathode region.

Each anode consists of a horizontal plate or bar 39, preferably of Acheson graphite. The current is carried to these anodes from the positive terminal 40 of the source of electric current by means of several vertical bars 41, also of graphite, the lower ends of which extend down between and are dove-tailed or otherwise secured to the anodes. The face of each anode is preferably slightly inclined away from the diaphragm from its lower to its upper end, as shown in Fig. 4. The face of each anode is provided with a horizontal series of narrow, vertical grooves 42, each of which receives one or more strips 43 of nonconducting material, such as glass, which bear against the hard rubber support-plate 10. Three and four separate strips 43 are shown in alternate grooves 42, the adjacent ends 43 of the strips being beveled or otherwise arranged to provide transverse passages for circulation. These openings between the strips lying in adjacent grooves are preferably staggered, or out of horizontal alinement. The strips may rest directly on the ber sheet 10 is supported by glass strips 47 which rest at their lower ends in notches 48 in the upper ends of the anodes and are supported at the rear by transverse, vertical, glass plates 49 which in turn rest against the conductor bars 41 and seat upon the upper ends of the anodes.

The distance between 13W brine.

of each anodehas passages, shown as aseries' of transverse grooves 50, between the glass strips 43, which permit the brine to feed beneath the anodes and against the lower face of the diaphragm, whence it is continuously and forcibly raised by the chlorin evolved on the working face of the anode. The brine impregnated with small chlbrin bubbles rises to the upper part of the anode compartment where the chlorin readily escapes, on account of the decreased rate of flow due to the increased capacity. The brine thence descends between the anodes and returns beneath them to the field of electrolysis. The construction thus enables the chlorin to maintain a vigorous circulation of the brine between the anodes and the diaphragms, without the use of any moving parts. The perforated hard rubber plate 10 protects the diaphragm from the surface wash of the Means for removing the gases are provided. ln-thecell shown the chlorin escapes through a glass pipe 51 which extends from a. point at or near the surface of the brine downward through an opening in'the bottom of the body 1.

by a tapering elastic collar 52 which surrounds the lower end of the tube and enters the tapered lower end- 53 of the opening through the body. The collar 52 is pushed into the opening 53 and thus compressed upon the glass tube by means of a clampingplate 54 and a nut 55 threaded on the downwardly projecting end of a bolt 56 the head of, which isembedded in the body. The pipe 51 may'also be used as a, drain pipe for emptying the cell, being then withdrawn until its upper end is at the bottom of the anode chamber.

The electrolyte is preferably supplied to the cell by means of glass pipes 57 which lie in vertical grooves 58 in the inner face of each side portion of the body 1. These tubes extenddown midway between the anodes nearly to the bottom of the anode chamber where they terminate in an injector 59. This arrangement assists in maintaining a vigorous circulation of brine in the anode compartment. The cell is closed at the upper end by a plate 60 having openings to receive the conductor-bars 41 and brine-supply pipes 57.

' We claim: a

1. An electrolytic cell subdivided by a. compressible diaphragm and having electrodes, and devices for compressing said diaphragm i 2. An. electrolytic cell subdivided by a and devices for compressing said diaphragm.

A tight joint between the tube and the walls of the opening is effected 3. An electrolytic cell subdivided by a compressible diaphragm, and resilient devices for compressing said diaphragm.

4. An electrolytic cell subdivided by a fibrous diaphragm, and resilient devices for compressing said diaphragm.

5. An electrolytic cell having a flexible diaphragm, a stiff facing supporting said diaphragm, and an electrode having nonconductive strips supporting said facing.

6. An electrolytic cell having a flexible diaphragm, a st-ifi facing supporting said diaphragm, and an electrode having vertical, non-conductive strips supporting said facing. V

7. An electrolytic cell having a flexible diaphragm, a stifl facing supporting said diaphragm, and an electrode having recesses holding non-conductive supports for said facing.

8. An electrolytic cell having a flexible diaphragm, a stifi facing for saiddiaphragm,,.and a plurality of springs bearing against said facing.

9. An electrolytic cell having a flexible diaphragm, a facing for said diaphragm, and a plurality of springs bearing against said facing. 1 10. An electrolytic cell having a flexible electrode, and a plurality of springs bearing againstsaid electrode.

11. An electrolytic cell having an electrode, and a plurality of springs bearing v against said electrode.

trode support, and wedge devices for adjusting said support to and from the electrode.

.15. An electrolytic cell having a substantially vertical partition between an electrode,

and the wall of the cell and substantially parallel with said electrode, and passages at the upper and lower ends of said partition.

lfipAn electrolytic cell having :1- diaphragm, an anode spaced therefrom to provide a passage for electrolyte, and means for establishing a flow of electrolyte through said passage. 1

17. An electrolytic cell having a diaphragm, an anode spacedtherefrom, and means for establishing an upward flow of electrolyte between said anode and diaphragm.

18. An electrolytic cell having a substantially vertically-disposed diaphragm, an anode spaced therefrom to provide a pasphragm, a passage adjacent said diaphragm,

- circulating electrolyte.

means for establishing a flow of electrolyte through said passage, and means for re saturating the circulating electrolyte.

22. An electrolytic cell having a substantially vertically disposed diaphragm, a passage adjacent said diaphragm, means for establishing a flow of electrolyte through said passage, and means for re-saturating the 23. An electrolytic cell having two sub stantially vertically-disposed diaphragms,

anodes having their active faces adjacent said diaphragms but spaced therefrom, and means for establishing aflow of electrolyte upwardly along said diaphragms and downwardly in the region intermediate said-- diaphragms.

24. An electrolytic cell having two substantially vertically-disposed diaphragms,

anodes having their active faces adjacent said diaphragms but spaced therefrom, means for establishing a flow of electrolyte upwardly along said diaphragms and downwardly in the region intermediate said diahra ms and means for re-saturatin the.

circulating electrolyte.

25. An electrolytic cell having opposite substantially parallel diaphragms, anodes having their active faces adjacent said dia phragms but spaced therefrom to provide lateral passages for an upward circulation of electrolyte along their faces, and a passage for the downward flow of electrolyte communicating at its upper and lower portions with said lateral passages.

26. An electrolytic cell having opposite substantially parallel diaphragms, anodes having their active faces adjacent said diahragms but spaced therefrom to provide l ateral passages for an upward circulation of electrolyte along their faces, a passage for the downward How of electrolyte communicating atits upper and lower portions with said lateral passages, and means for resaturating the circulating electrolyte.

27. An electrolytic cell having opposite,

substantially vertical permeable cathodes diaphragms overlying said cathodes, anodes having their active faces adjacent said diaphragms but spaced therefrom to provide lateral passages for an upward circulation of electrolyte, and a passage for the downward flow of electrolyte communicating with said lateral passages.

28. An electrolytic cell having opposite, substantially vertical permeable cathodes, diaphragms overlyingsaid cathodes, anodes having their active faces adjacent said diaphragms but spaced therefrom to provide lateral passages for an upward circulation of electrolyte, a passage for the downward flow of electrolyte communicating with said lateral passages, and means for re-saturating the circulating electrolyte.

29. An electrolytic cell having a diaphragm, a facing therefor an anode adjacent saidfacing but spaced therefrom, and means for establishing a flow of electrolyte between said anode and facing.

30. An electrolytic cell having substantially parallel, vertical diaphragms, spaced anodes between said diaphragms, and passages above and below the active face of said anodes.

31. An electrolytic cell having substantially parallel, vertical diaphragms, spaced anodes between said diaphragms, passages above and below the active faces of said anodes, and means for establishing a downward flow ofelectrolyte between said anodes and an upward flow past their active faces.

32. An electrolytic cell comprising two cathodes, anodes between said cathodes, each anode arrangedin close proximity to one cathode, passages above and below the active' face of each anode, a space between said anodes of greater capacity than that of both the spaces between said cathodes and anodes, and means for circulating electrolyte upwardly past the working face of the anodes and downwardly through said space.

33. In an electrolytic cell having anode and cathode compartments, a tube longitudinally adjustable within and protruding upwardly into the anode compartment and downwardly therefrom, said "tube serving to adjust the level of the electrolyte.

3%. In an electrolytic cell having anode and cathode compartments, means for supplying the electrolyt to the anode compartment, and. a tube protruding upwardly into said compartment and downwardly therefrom, said tube of capacity in excess of the maximum capacity of the supplying-means, and serving to determine the height of the electrolyte. I

35. An electrolytic cell having a recess in its bottom, and spaced anodes at each side of and parallel to said recess.

36. An electrolytic cell having substantially vertical, spaced anodes, diaphragms closely adjoining the working face of each anode, the capacity of the-space between the anodes being greater than that of the space between the anodes and diaphragms, and passages disposed to permit a circulation of the electrolyte upwardly past the working faces of theanodes and downwardly through the intermediate space.

37. The combination with an electrode, one face only of which is in contact with the active electrolyte, of elastic members on the opposite face thereof. t

38. The combination with a permeable electrode, one face only of which is in contact with the active electrolyte, of elastic members on the opposite face thereof.

39. The combination with a pervious electrode having one plane surface, of elastic members extending outwardly from a plurality of points on the other face thereof.

40. The combination with a substantially upright pervious electrode having one plane surface, of elastic members extending outwardly from the other face thereof.

41. In an electrolytic cell, a porous diaphragm, a cathode located exteriorly of said diaphragm and in contact therewith, and elastic members contacting with the face of said cathode at a plurality of points.

42. In an electrolytic cell, a porous diaphragm, a cathode located exteriorly of said diaphragm and in contact therewith, and metallic spring-members extending outwardly from the face of said cathode at a plurality of points.

43. In an electrolytic cell, a porous edia- I phragm, a foraminous cathode contacting therewith on one side, and filamentary members contacting with and extending outwardly from the opposite sideof said cathode. c

' therewith on one side, elastic members on the opposite side of said cathode, and a perforated support engaging said members.

46. In an electrolytic cell, a porous diaphragm, a foraminous cathode contacting therewith on one side elastic members on the opposite side of said cathode, a support engaging said members, and means for forcing said support toward said cathode and diaphragm.

47. An anode for electrolytic cells constructed and arranged to provide horizontal and vertical passages for the circulation of the electrolyte and cathodes of substantially similar outline located adjacent the opposite active faces of said anode.

8. In an electrolytic cell, an anode pre senting practically parallel and opposite faces, and having a passage between such faces for the downward circulatlon of the electrolyte, and cathodesopposite each face and separated therefrom by intervening spaces, the anode constructed and arranged causing a complete circulation of the electrolyte over the active faces of the anode.

50. Inan electrolytic cell, an anode present-ing practically parallel and opposite faces and having a passage between such faces for the downward circulation of the electrolyte, and cathodes opposite each face and separated therefrom by intervening spaces, the anode constructed and arranged to provide connecting openings or passages between the intermediate space and the outer spaces, said passages being separated by practically the entire vertical height of the active face of the anode.

51. In an electrolytic cell of the character described, the positive or anode element of which presents faces in a predetermined plane, a foraminous cathode in a plane practically parallel'therewith, a central cell body, and insulating material separate from said body and forming a shield for limiting the active area of said cathode at the margin thereof, the perforated portions of said cathode extending outwardly beyond the inner edges of said insulating material.

52. In an electrolytic cell of the character described, the positive or anode element of which presents faces in a predetermined plane, a foraminous cathode in a plane practically parallel therewith, a central cell body, and insulating material separate from said body and forming a shield for limiting thev active surface of said cathode to a rectangular figure, the perforated portions of said cathode" extending outwardly beyond the inner edges of said" insulating material. on each sideofthe rectangle.

53. In an electrolytic cell, the combination with a porous diaphragm, of a cathode in contact with the inner side thereof, an anode having an active face adjacent the opposite side of said diaphragm, and insulating material on the inner side of said diaphragm and forming a shield for limiting the exposed surface thereof to approximately the size of said active face, the perforated area of said cathode being greater than the inner exposed surface of said diaphragm.

' 54. In an electrolytic cell,the combination with a porous diaphragm, of a foraminous cathode in contact with one side thereof, an anode having an active face adjacent the opposite side of said diaphragm, and insulating material in contact with said diaphragm for limiting the active portion thereof to an area smaller than that of the cathode.

55. In an electrolytic cell, an anode, a porous diaphragm, a perforated cathode in con- 10 tact with said diaphragm, a recessed plate forming an outer cathode chamber, and an insulating plate in contact with said diaphragm on the side adjacent the anode, said insulating plate constructed and arranged to limit the active area of said diaphragm.

In testimony whereof We afiix our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

CLINTON PAUL TOWNSEND. ELMER A. SPERRY. Witnesses:

JOHN H. SIGGERS, JULIA B. HILL. 

